How to fix storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload in Firebase

FirebaseINTERMEDIATEMEDIUMUpdated Dec 22, 2025· 118 views

This Firebase Storage error occurs when the local file being uploaded is modified, deleted, or saved again while the upload is in progress. Firebase uses the Blob.slice() API to split files into 256KB chunks for resumable uploads, and detects when the underlying file has changed mid-upload.

Quick fix

Fixes storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload

// Web - Create Blob copy
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';

async function uploadFile(storage, filePath, file) {
  // Create immutable copy using slice()
  // This creates a new Blob with the same content
  const stableBlob = file.slice(0, file.size, file.type);

  const storageRef = ref(storage, filePath);
  const result = await uploadBytes(storageRef, stableBlob);
  return result;
}

// Usage
const fileInput = document.getElementById('file-input');
fileInput.addEventListener('change', async (e) => {
  const file = e.target.files[0];
  try {
    await uploadFile(storage, `uploads/${file.name}`, file);
    console.log('Upload successful');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Upload failed:', error);
  }
});
  1. Create an immutable copy of the file before uploading
  2. Use resumable uploads with automatic retry
  3. Avoid uploading files from temporary directories
  4. Ensure file write operations complete before uploading
firebase — error
// Web - Create Blob copy
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';
async function uploadFile(storage, filePath, file) {
// Create immutable copy using slice()
// This creates a new Blob with the same content
const stableBlob = file.slice(0, file.size, file.type);
const storageRef = ref(storage, filePath);
const result = await uploadBytes(storageRef, stableBlob);
return result;
}
// Usage
const fileInput = document.getElementById('file-input');
fileInput.addEventListener('change', async (e) => {
const file = e.target.files[0];
try {
await uploadFile(storage, `uploads/${file.name}`, file);
console.log('Upload successful');
} catch (error) {
console.error('Upload failed:', error);
}
});
storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload

What this error means

The "storage/cannot-slice-blob" error in Firebase Storage indicates that the client-side file being uploaded was altered during the upload process. Firebase Storage uses the standard Blob.slice() API to divide files larger than 256KB into chunks for resumable uploads, which provides better reliability and progress tracking. When Firebase attempts to slice the file during chunked upload, it detects that the file's content or properties have changed since the upload started. This could mean the file was deleted, overwritten, saved again by another process, or moved to a different location. When Firebase detects this inconsistency, it aborts the upload to prevent uploading incomplete or corrupted data. This is a protective mechanism that prevents silent failures where users wouldn't know that their file wasn't properly uploaded due to concurrent file modifications.

Typical symptoms

  • Upload fails with "cannot-slice-blob" error message during chunked upload
  • Error occurs more frequently with large files (over 256KB)
  • Upload progress starts successfully but fails mid-way through
  • Error appears when uploading files being actively written to by another process
  • Camera/gallery image uploads fail on mobile when file picker keeps file locked
  • Error occurs after editing a file and immediately attempting upload
  • Uploading temporary files that get auto-cleaned creates "cannot-slice-blob" errors
  • Error message appears in browser console or mobile app logs

Common causes

  1. The local file is being written to or saved again while upload is in progress
  2. Another process is modifying the file during upload (editor save, file sync, etc.)
  3. File was deleted or moved while upload is occurring
  4. Camera/image picker is still processing or locking the file
  5. Temporary file location is being cleaned up by system during upload
  6. File descriptor becomes invalid due to external file operations
  7. Uploading from a source that doesn't maintain file stability (temporary directory)
  8. Mobile app backgrounding or suspension interrupts file access

How to fix "storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload"

1Create an immutable copy of the file before uploading

The most reliable fix is to create a stable copy of the file that won't be modified during upload:

javascript
// Web - Create Blob copy
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';

async function uploadFile(storage, filePath, file) {
  // Create immutable copy using slice()
  // This creates a new Blob with the same content
  const stableBlob = file.slice(0, file.size, file.type);

  const storageRef = ref(storage, filePath);
  const result = await uploadBytes(storageRef, stableBlob);
  return result;
}

// Usage
const fileInput = document.getElementById('file-input');
fileInput.addEventListener('change', async (e) => {
  const file = e.target.files[0];
  try {
    await uploadFile(storage, `uploads/${file.name}`, file);
    console.log('Upload successful');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Upload failed:', error);
  }
});

For React with file input:

javascript
import { useState } from 'react';
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';

export function FileUploader({ storage }) {
  const [uploading, setUploading] = useState(false);

  const handleFileSelect = async (e) => {
    const file = e.target.files[0];
    if (!file) return;

    setUploading(true);
    try {
      // Create immutable copy
      const stableBlob = file.slice(0, file.size, file.type);

      const storageRef = ref(storage, `uploads/${file.name}`);
      await uploadBytes(storageRef, stableBlob);

      console.log('Upload successful');
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Upload failed:', error.message);
    } finally {
      setUploading(false);
    }
  };

  return (
    <input
      type="file"
      onChange={handleFileSelect}
      disabled={uploading}
    />
  );
}

Creating a copy ensures the original file can be modified by other processes without affecting the upload.

2Use resumable uploads with automatic retry

Switch to resumable uploads which handle interruptions better and include retry logic:

javascript
import { ref, uploadBytesResumable } from 'firebase/storage';

function uploadWithResume(storage, filePath, file, maxRetries = 3) {
  // Create stable copy first
  const stableBlob = file.slice(0, file.size, file.type);

  const storageRef = ref(storage, filePath);
  const uploadTask = uploadBytesResumable(storageRef, stableBlob);

  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    uploadTask.on(
      'state_changed',
      // Progress
      (snapshot) => {
        const progress = (snapshot.bytesTransferred / snapshot.totalBytes) * 100;
        console.log(`Upload is ${progress.toFixed(0)}% done`);
      },
      // Error
      (error) => {
        if (error.code === 'storage/cannot-slice-blob') {
          console.error('File was modified during upload');
        }
        reject(error);
      },
      // Complete
      () => {
        console.log('Upload completed');
        resolve(uploadTask.snapshot);
      }
    );
  });
}

// Usage in React
async function handleUpload(e) {
  const file = e.target.files[0];
  try {
    await uploadWithResume(storage, `uploads/${file.name}`, file);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Upload failed:', error);
  }
}

Resumable uploads allow you to pause and resume if needed, and handle the slicing internally.

3Avoid uploading files from temporary directories

Don't upload files that are in temporary locations or being actively managed by the system:

javascript
// WRONG - Uploading from temporary directory
const tempFile = '/tmp/upload-cache/image.jpg';
// System may clean this up during upload

// CORRECT - Copy to stable location first
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';
import { promises as fs } from 'fs'; // Node.js

async function uploadStableFile(storage, sourceFile, storagePath) {
  // For web: use Blob from input
  // For Node.js: read file into buffer
  const fileBuffer = await fs.readFile(sourceFile);

  const storageRef = ref(storage, storagePath);
  await uploadBytes(storageRef, fileBuffer);
}

// For mobile (React Native/Flutter):
// Use file:// URLs that point to app-managed directories
// NOT: file system temporary directories

Use stable file locations:
- Web: Files from <input type="file"> are stable during session
- Node.js: Read entire file into memory before uploading
- Mobile: Use app-managed directories, not system temp folders

4Ensure file write operations complete before uploading

If creating files before upload, wait for write operations to fully complete:

javascript
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';

// Wait for file to be fully written
async function uploadAfterWrite(storage, fileData, fileName) {
  // Simulate file creation (image generation, export, etc.)
  const createdBlob = new Blob([fileData], { type: 'application/json' });

  // Add delay to ensure file system is done
  await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 100));

  // Create stable copy
  const stableBlob = createdBlob.slice(0, createdBlob.size, createdBlob.type);

  // Now safe to upload
  const storageRef = ref(storage, `uploads/${fileName}`);
  const result = await uploadBytes(storageRef, stableBlob);
  return result;
}

// For Node.js file operations
const fs = require('fs').promises;

async function createAndUpload(storage, filePath, storagePath) {
  // Write file
  await fs.writeFile(filePath, 'file content');

  // Wait a moment
  await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 100));

  // Read into buffer for upload
  const buffer = await fs.readFile(filePath);

  const storageRef = ref(storage, storagePath);
  await uploadBytes(storageRef, buffer);
}

Ensure all file write operations are complete before attempting upload.

5For mobile uploads, handle file permissions and locking

Mobile platforms may lock files during processing. Handle this properly:

javascript
// React Native with file picker
import DocumentPicker from 'react-native-document-picker';
import { ref, uploadBytes } from 'firebase/storage';
import RNFS from 'react-native-fs';

async function uploadFromGallery(storage) {
  try {
    const result = await DocumentPicker.pick({
      type: [DocumentPicker.types.images],
    });

    // Copy file to app's documents directory
    const appDir = RNFS.DocumentDirectoryPath;
    const fileName = result.name;
    const newPath = `${appDir}/${fileName}`;

    // Copy from picker result to stable location
    await RNFS.copyFile(result.uri, newPath);

    // Wait for copy to complete
    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 200));

    // Read into buffer
    const fileData = await RNFS.readFile(newPath, 'base64');
    const blob = new Blob(
      [Buffer.from(fileData, 'base64')],
      { type: result.type }
    );

    // Create stable copy
    const stableBlob = blob.slice(0, blob.size, blob.type);

    // Upload
    const storageRef = ref(storage, `uploads/${fileName}`);
    await uploadBytes(storageRef, stableBlob);

    // Cleanup
    await RNFS.unlink(newPath);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Upload failed:', error);
  }
}

For Flutter:

dart
import 'package:firebase_storage/firebase_storage.dart';
import 'package:image_picker/image_picker.dart';
import 'dart:io';

Future<void> uploadFromGallery() async {
  final ImagePicker picker = ImagePicker();
  final XFile? image = await picker.pickImage(source: ImageSource.gallery);

  if (image != null) {
    try {
      File imageFile = File(image.path);

      // Verify file exists and is accessible
      final exists = await imageFile.exists();
      if (!exists) {
        throw Exception('File not found');
      }

      // Upload directly - Firebase SDK handles slicing
      await FirebaseStorage.instance
          .ref('uploads/${image.name}')
          .putFile(imageFile);
    } catch (e) {
      print('Upload failed: $e');
    }
  }
}

Mobile platforms require careful file handling to avoid system locks and temporary directory cleanup.

6Update Firebase SDK to latest version

Ensure you're using the latest Firebase SDK with all improvements and fixes:

bash
# Web
npm update firebase

# React Native
npm update @react-native-firebase/storage

# Flutter
flutter pub upgrade firebase_storage

# Node.js
npm update firebase-admin

# Verify versions
npm list firebase
npm list @react-native-firebase/storage
flutter pub outdated

Check your current versions:

javascript
// Web
import { SDK_VERSION } from 'firebase/app';
console.log('Firebase SDK:', SDK_VERSION);

// Admin
const admin = require('firebase-admin');
console.log('Admin SDK:', admin.SDK_VERSION);

Recent versions include:
- Improved Blob.slice() error handling
- Better file change detection
- More reliable chunk upload logic
- Android: Fixed file locking issues (v11.3.1+)
- iOS: Improved file access patterns (v10.18.0+)

Advanced notes

### How Firebase Chunks Large Files

Firebase Storage automatically chunks files over 256KB using the Blob.slice() API:
- Files <= 256KB: Single upload request
- Files > 256KB: Split into 256KB chunks, uploaded sequentially or in parallel
- Each chunk is individually checksummed and verified

When Firebase calls blob.slice(start, end), if the underlying file has changed, the slice operation may fail or return inconsistent data, triggering the "cannot-slice-blob" error.

### Platform-Specific Behavior

Web Browser:
- File objects from <input type="file"> are generally stable
- Blob slicing works reliably on standard browsers
- Issue occurs when uploading programmatically created Blobs from mutable data

Node.js:
- No native Blob support - Firebase uses Buffer wrapper
- File stream operations must complete before upload
- Cannot slice files being actively written

Android:
- File content URIs may point to temporary locations
- System may revoke file access permissions during upload
- Fix: Copy file to app's cache directory first

iOS:
- Document picker files may be locked by the system
- File cleanup on app backgrounding can cause issues
- Fix: Copy to app Documents directory before upload

React Native:
- Different behavior on iOS vs Android
- File URIs from image picker are temporary
- Use native file system copy before upload

### Debugging File Change Issues

Enable detailed logging:

javascript
// Monitor file state during upload
async function debugUpload(storage, file) {
  console.log('Initial file state:', {
    name: file.name,
    size: file.size,
    type: file.type,
    lastModified: file.lastModified
  });

  const stableBlob = file.slice(0, file.size, file.type);

  const storageRef = ref(storage, `uploads/${file.name}`);
  const uploadTask = uploadBytesResumable(storageRef, stableBlob);

  uploadTask.on(
    'state_changed',
    (snapshot) => {
      // Log every state change
      console.log('Upload state:', snapshot.state);
      console.log('Progress:', snapshot.bytesTransferred, '/', snapshot.totalBytes);

      // Check original file still accessible
      if (file.size !== stableBlob.size) {
        console.warn('WARNING: File size changed during upload!');
      }
    },
    (error) => {
      console.error('Upload error:', error);
      if (error.code === 'storage/cannot-slice-blob') {
        console.error('The file was modified or became inaccessible');
      }
    }
  );
}

### When cannot-slice-blob is NOT the Root Cause

Sometimes the error message appears but the actual issue is:
- server-file-wrong-size: File size mismatch (different fix)
- invalid-checksum: Data corruption during transmission (retry)
- Network timeout: Connection interrupted (retry with backoff)

All should be handled with retry logic, but "cannot-slice-blob" specifically requires file stability.

### Workarounds for Persistent Issues

If file instability is unavoidable:

1. Upload via Cloud Function: Have client send to Cloud Function, function handles Storage upload (server-side is more stable)

javascript
// Client sends to function
const uploadFunction = functions.httpsCallable('uploadFile');
await uploadFunction({ data: fileBase64, name: fileName });

// Cloud Function receives and uploads to Storage
exports.uploadFile = functions.https.onCall(async (data, context) => {
  const buffer = Buffer.from(data.data, 'base64');
  await admin.storage().bucket().file(`uploads/${data.name}`).save(buffer);
});

2. Compress before upload: Reduces file size and upload time, less chance of modification

javascript
// Compress with pako or browser native APIs
import pako from 'pako';

const compressed = pako.gzip(originalData);
const blob = new Blob([compressed], { type: 'application/gzip' });
await uploadBytes(storageRef, blob);

3. Read entire file to memory first: Guarantees immutability during upload (not viable for huge files)

javascript
const buffer = await file.arrayBuffer();
const blob = new Blob([new Uint8Array(buffer)], { type: file.type });
await uploadBytes(storageRef, blob);

Frequently asked questions

What does "storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload" mean?
The "storage/cannot-slice-blob" error in Firebase Storage indicates that the client-side file being uploaded was altered during the upload process. slice() API to divide files larger than 256KB into chunks for resumable uploads, which provides better reliability and progress tracking. When Firebase attempts to slice the file during chunked upload, it detects that the file's content or properties have changed since the upload started.
How do I fix "storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload"?
This Firebase Storage error occurs when the local file being uploaded is modified, deleted, or saved again while the upload is in progress. Firebase uses the Blob.slice() API to split files into 256KB chunks for resumable uploads, and detects when the underlying file has changed mid-upload.
What causes "storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload"?
The local file is being written to or saved again while upload is in progress Another process is modifying the file during upload (editor save, file sync, etc.) File was deleted or moved while upload is occurring
Is the "storage/cannot-slice-blob: Local file changed during upload" error serious?
It is a medium-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading